Every registered voter in this county was likely deluged with mailers from District Attorney Dan Dow’s campaign. Instead of the usual mailers which highlight differences between the candidates, Dow is fixated on his opponent Judge Mike Cummins legally changing his first name to “Judge” last June — as if to deceive voters into thinking he’s still a judge. Dow is presenting a conspiracy that Cummins legally changed his name to deceive voters for his DA campaign. Ironically for the DA, there is no evidence backing his oft-refuted claim.

A political consultant with Kansas City-based Axiom Strategies, who’s representing Dow’s campaign, recently told The Tribune that they were “aware” that Rice was “putting something together.” That “something” is a Fair Political Practices Commission complaint that Rice filed on May 7 against Cummins, alleging at least 54 violations of state campaigning finance laws. As the New Times‘ Shredder mentioned recently, Rice has established a reputation for filing FPPC complaints against elected officials he doesn’t like. Rice’s complaint follows a number of hostile messages Rice left Cummins on his Facebook page.

This is not the first time Rice and Dow joined political forces.

In July 2017, Rice forwarded to San Luis Obispo city officials a private letter he received from the District Attorney’s Office regarding a housing-related ballot initiative that he supported and financed. In a letter written by Assistant District Attorney Lee Cunningham and signed by Dow, the DA’s office claimed the city unlawfully altered the citizen’s initiative to repeal and replace the city’s Rental House Inspection Program without citing evidence of violations. Cunningham also suggested that a “civil action may be [Rice’s] only remedy,” though the DA office traditionally refrains from making civil liability conclusions. The letter received a sharp rebuke from the SLO city attorney and Los Angeles attorney Craig Steele, who was retained by the city as an elections expert. Both blasted Cunningham and his “irresponsible,” “ridiculous” and “incorrect” analysis for misunderstanding the facts and the law. Despite the criticism, Cunningham stood by his letter. Rice never took the city to court over their framing of his ballot measure. His efforts were dismissed by the SLO City Council as a political stunt.

Rice isn’t the only conspiracy theory-peddling complaint connoisseur in this election cycle.

Los Osos resident Julie Tacker, who has filed 10 FPPC complaints over the past six years against her adversaries, alleged that District 2 Supervisor Bruce Gibson “has taken a strong and biased position in opposition to permitting new short-term vacation rentals in his district,” including vacation rentals near his properties in Cambria and Cayucos. In her FPPC complaint, Tacker alleges that Gibson has taken these positions because his property values could be affected by a nearby vacation rental; therefore he should’ve recused himself from any vacation rental votes pertaining to his district and any future opportunities to vote. Tacker is a vocal supporter for Gibson’s opponent Jeff Eckles.

Speaking of taking strong and biased positions, Tacker’s partner and developer Jeff Edwards represents two Cayucos vacation rental homes that are subject to a vote by the Board of Supervisors in July. Tacker claims she’s not reporting the allegations because of her business interests, though she credits her partner for bringing the issue to her attention.

Both Rice and Tacker made news headlines with their complaints. Both complaints offer a smattering of conspiracy theory claims alleging their foes committed legal violations with the intent to violate. Both have a dismal record in proving their conspiracy theories are real or actionable. In Rice’s case, complaints alleging fraud, graft and corruption have resulted in candidates receiving nominal fines for clerical errors. In Tacker’s case, her actions have resulted in community disarray at the taxpayers’ expense with no net benefit. Her stubborn, or perhaps intentional, refusal to recognize her own conflicts of interest have only deepened the community’s wounds.